When I decided to start this blog, I thought I was taking a risk. I mean I knew I was always a different kind of person from the beginning even when I was younger. Recently, I was at a Youth Pastor's appreciation at another church. When she was sharing her remarks, she mentioned about when she met me she thought I was a strange woman. At first, the word strange had a negative connotation in my mind. But then I thought, what about what God says about it in His word?...
"But ye are a chosen
generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that
ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of
darkness into his marvellous light;"
- I Peter 2:9
Hmmm...Peculiar or should I say strange?
Strange (adjective)
1) not native to or naturally belonging in a place : of external origin, kind, or character
2) not before known, heard, or seen; unfamiliar; foreign;
3) exciting wonder or awe; extraordinary;
So because of who God has purposed me to be and how He lives in my heart, it does make me strange, even peculiar. Even though I am in this world, I am not of it. The spirit of God that lives on the inside of me along with the beautiful personality He created in me is what makes me extraordinary, unlike anything or anyone else out there. I am unique. I am unfamiliar. I am strange in a very good way. Look, I am not bragging nor am I being conceited. It's just what I believe about me.
So thus, I have entitled this blog, The Chronicles of a Strange Girl. Hopefully with God's grace, I can help encourage other people to not be afraid to embrace their uniqueness as God has designed and anointed them to be. So be you. Don't be afraid to be strange. Be extraordinary, just like me! Besides, God did it on purpose anyway.
Please feel free to share your comments and feedback with me by posting here on the blog or send me an email at twannapg@gmail.com.
Blessings and peace,
Elder Twanna House
(c) 2013 The Chronicles of a Strange Girl by Elder Twanna House
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Monday, May 27, 2013
Full Custody
In some legal situations, the court may order to have full custodial rights of a child to be given to either parent. Then the non-custodial parent can be given visitation rights if it is shown both parents are cooperative. However, there are some cases where the court may decide the non-custodial parent is not fit to have visitation rights such as being incarcerated, drug abuse and possibly other reasons.
Just as there is a judge that gives custodial rights in the courtroom, we as believers have a choice to give full custody of our minds to the Spirit of God or the spirit of the enemy. What do I mean? Everyday, you decide what you allow to visit your mind. Whether is a new visitor or a recurring one in your thoughts, the question becomes what are you allowing in your mental space? And who or what are you giving full custody to when it comes to how you think?
Jesus addressed the issue about what we give our minds to even when we so concerned about life: “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." Matthew 6:31-34 (NKJV).
In my personal life, I had to learn that I do not need to waste time of past things that I can not change. The reason is my present day is already going to have its own share of issues. Why complicate things by revisiting or giving full custody of your thinking to your past? I mean really. That is the enemy's gateway to keep you in bondage and make it more difficult for you to have a sound mind.
Each and every day, we have to make decisions. It would make our lives much easier when we are mindful of what we allow ourselves to think. I am learning you make better decisions when your mind is free from any negative thoughts, feelings, etc. That is when you can be better be a better judge and decide to whom you should give your mind full custodial rights. Guess what? You (as I have learned too) must revoke the visitation rights of the enemy and give full custody of your mind to God. Truth is, God wants it all anyway. He is the best custodian there is because He knows how to keep me in perfect peace whoever keeps his mind stayed on him (Isaiah 26:3). I don't know about you, but I need all the peace I can get every day. I am sure you do too. Peace and blessings...
(c) 2013 - The Chronicles of a Strange Girl by Elder Twanna House
Just as there is a judge that gives custodial rights in the courtroom, we as believers have a choice to give full custody of our minds to the Spirit of God or the spirit of the enemy. What do I mean? Everyday, you decide what you allow to visit your mind. Whether is a new visitor or a recurring one in your thoughts, the question becomes what are you allowing in your mental space? And who or what are you giving full custody to when it comes to how you think?
Jesus addressed the issue about what we give our minds to even when we so concerned about life: “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." Matthew 6:31-34 (NKJV).
In my personal life, I had to learn that I do not need to waste time of past things that I can not change. The reason is my present day is already going to have its own share of issues. Why complicate things by revisiting or giving full custody of your thinking to your past? I mean really. That is the enemy's gateway to keep you in bondage and make it more difficult for you to have a sound mind.
Each and every day, we have to make decisions. It would make our lives much easier when we are mindful of what we allow ourselves to think. I am learning you make better decisions when your mind is free from any negative thoughts, feelings, etc. That is when you can be better be a better judge and decide to whom you should give your mind full custodial rights. Guess what? You (as I have learned too) must revoke the visitation rights of the enemy and give full custody of your mind to God. Truth is, God wants it all anyway. He is the best custodian there is because He knows how to keep me in perfect peace whoever keeps his mind stayed on him (Isaiah 26:3). I don't know about you, but I need all the peace I can get every day. I am sure you do too. Peace and blessings...
(c) 2013 - The Chronicles of a Strange Girl by Elder Twanna House
Friday, May 17, 2013
The Final Push...
Next month in June, my youngest son, Josiah will be turning 2 years old. It feels like yesterday when he was born into this life. I remember all the things I had to endure throughout my nine months of pregnancy: having surgery to prevent pre-mature labor, sleepless nights, feeling irritated and uncomfortable. However, I would not trade anything that I have been through. When the moment came on June 13th, 2011 in the evening, I felt the pressure. I felt like I was at my end because I was tired and exhausted from being up and down all day at the hospital. But within 30 minutes of pushing with all I had, I gave one final push that brought forth the beautiful gift of my son.
I am sure that you mothers out there can relate to my experience in some way. Even if you are not a mother or do not have children, there is a sound nugget of wisdom to take from this moment in my life. When you have exhausted all options to help your negative situation be better, it seems like that would be the time to give up. You are at the point of no return. Rock bottom. There is no possible way to recover from it. Of course, this is the enemy's goal to make you think that there is no hope to overcome even the most difficult of situations that happen in our lives.
Jesus shares with His disciples in John 16:33 that in times of trouble that we should be happy. Really happy. "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Even when we are at our lowest point in life, God is there. He has placed in us the strength of Christ to overcome anything. In fact, it is when you feel you do not have enough to go on that you dig deeper into the reservoir of your spirit and find the strength to make one final push. You have to be able to press past all that you have endured through being hurt, abused, sick, abandoned or whatever. You have to push past the resistance of the enemy to plague your mind with thoughts that it will always be this way. You possess the capacity to change it. Like me, I had to find a way to still keep looking up even when I was at my most broken in my heart. I had to find a way to believe God's word for real and take the power to overcome to push pass it all. Just like the glass ceiling, I finally broke through to the other side where the freedom and peace I longed for had been waiting for me.
So I pray that you all with find it in yourselves to not let life affect you to the point you feel you do not have enough to move on. Because of the overcoming strength found in Jesus, you do possess the power to give it one final push. So give it all you have. See how it feels when you get to the other side.
Peace and blessings from your strange girl,
Elder Twanna House
(c) 2013 The Chronicles of a Strange Girl by Elder Twanna House
I am sure that you mothers out there can relate to my experience in some way. Even if you are not a mother or do not have children, there is a sound nugget of wisdom to take from this moment in my life. When you have exhausted all options to help your negative situation be better, it seems like that would be the time to give up. You are at the point of no return. Rock bottom. There is no possible way to recover from it. Of course, this is the enemy's goal to make you think that there is no hope to overcome even the most difficult of situations that happen in our lives.
Jesus shares with His disciples in John 16:33 that in times of trouble that we should be happy. Really happy. "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Even when we are at our lowest point in life, God is there. He has placed in us the strength of Christ to overcome anything. In fact, it is when you feel you do not have enough to go on that you dig deeper into the reservoir of your spirit and find the strength to make one final push. You have to be able to press past all that you have endured through being hurt, abused, sick, abandoned or whatever. You have to push past the resistance of the enemy to plague your mind with thoughts that it will always be this way. You possess the capacity to change it. Like me, I had to find a way to still keep looking up even when I was at my most broken in my heart. I had to find a way to believe God's word for real and take the power to overcome to push pass it all. Just like the glass ceiling, I finally broke through to the other side where the freedom and peace I longed for had been waiting for me.
So I pray that you all with find it in yourselves to not let life affect you to the point you feel you do not have enough to move on. Because of the overcoming strength found in Jesus, you do possess the power to give it one final push. So give it all you have. See how it feels when you get to the other side.
Peace and blessings from your strange girl,
Elder Twanna House
(c) 2013 The Chronicles of a Strange Girl by Elder Twanna House
Monday, May 6, 2013
Use Some TLC...
When I went to the dentist recently, they told me that I would have to have one of my wisdom teeth pulled because it had a huge cavity. I did explain to them that it has been two years since I had a cleaning or check-up. Now, if I would have been going to the dentist regularly and had been more mindful of how I brushed and flossed my teeth, I probably would not have had an issue with cavities.
But just as God requires us to be good stewards with our time, talents and treasures, he also asks of the same for our physical bodies. In other words, good stewardship is when you use some good ole' TLC(tender loving care) with everything that you do. My husband gave me some good advice. He said that God requires to be a good steward all-around. Whether it be in ministry, family, finances, vehicles, clothes or personal hygiene, we all have a responsibility as believers of God to be accountable and careful in our decisions, which is key is being a good steward.
I Corinthians 4:2 says "Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful" (NKJV)
From this passage, we can understand that a requirement of stewardship is faithfulness. And then that faithfulness also includes TLC because when one is faithful to something, it's important to them. And their actions show it. We also see that example in the Parable of the Talents when Jesus explained how the master rewarded each servant according to their faithfulness and care.
“So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’" Matthew 25:20-21 (NKJV)
So there are benefits in being a good steward of all the God has given you. But the critical part is that in being a good steward is the attitude of your heart. Use some TLC in all that God has given you responsibility to care for. It is what He desires.
Blessings and Peace from your strange girl,
Elder Twanna House
P.S. This blog is dedicated in memory of my dear sister in the Lord, Elder Raychelle Gaston, who suddenly passed away last week. Love you sis. You will be missed...
(c) 2013 The Chronicles of a Strange Girl by Elder Twanna House
But just as God requires us to be good stewards with our time, talents and treasures, he also asks of the same for our physical bodies. In other words, good stewardship is when you use some good ole' TLC(tender loving care) with everything that you do. My husband gave me some good advice. He said that God requires to be a good steward all-around. Whether it be in ministry, family, finances, vehicles, clothes or personal hygiene, we all have a responsibility as believers of God to be accountable and careful in our decisions, which is key is being a good steward.
I Corinthians 4:2 says "Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful" (NKJV)
From this passage, we can understand that a requirement of stewardship is faithfulness. And then that faithfulness also includes TLC because when one is faithful to something, it's important to them. And their actions show it. We also see that example in the Parable of the Talents when Jesus explained how the master rewarded each servant according to their faithfulness and care.
“So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’" Matthew 25:20-21 (NKJV)
So there are benefits in being a good steward of all the God has given you. But the critical part is that in being a good steward is the attitude of your heart. Use some TLC in all that God has given you responsibility to care for. It is what He desires.
Blessings and Peace from your strange girl,
Elder Twanna House
P.S. This blog is dedicated in memory of my dear sister in the Lord, Elder Raychelle Gaston, who suddenly passed away last week. Love you sis. You will be missed...
(c) 2013 The Chronicles of a Strange Girl by Elder Twanna House
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